U.K. Software Firms Orbital, KMS
Are in Early Talks Over a Merger

Dow Jones Newswires

Updated Feb. 16, 2001 6:48 a.m. ET

LONDON -- British software companies Knowledge Management Software PLC and Orbital Software Holdings PLC said they are in early talks over a merger, in which KMS would absorb Orbital in an all-share deal.

Under the merger plans being discussed, Orbital shareholders would be offered 1.219 KMS shares for each Orbital share. The deal values KMS shares at 98.7 pence. As of Thursday's close, Orbital had a market capitalization of about 40...